Two BAA press officers join exodus

23 August 2007

The director of corporate affairs and the head of media relations have resigned from UK airport operator BAA, no reasons for their departure where given.This comes as the group’s handling of Heathrow airport and treatment of passengers has been heavily criticised.

Duncan Bonfield’s resignation as director of corporate affairs and Mark Mann, head of media relations departure, follows Tony Douglas’ stepping down as chief executive of Heathrow Airport after nine years at the company last year.

Since the takeover by Ferrovial, it has also lost chairman Marcus Agius and chief executive Mike Clasper as well as other bosses.

According to the Guardian newspaper the airport owner’s top two press men “had become exasperated with constant interference from Ferrovial.”

And that Bonfield found his position was untenable after “Ferrovial imposed a media lockdown on the corporate press team in June, amid incessant criticism of overcrowded conditions at Heathrow and BAA’s other London airports, Stansted and Gatwick,” said the newspaper.

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Malcolm Robertson, the Director of Communications for BAA Scotland and BAA’s public affairs director, is appointed interim group communications director with immediate effect.